Does Regeneration Make Sinners Happy?

I remember father asking me years ago when I was a young Hardshell preacher - "does regeneration make one happy or sad?" Honestly, I don't recall precisely how I answered father's question. However, I do remember his giving me his answer (one which he felt that only few Christians believed, yet believed by PBs, and being a mark of identity for them, as a true church of Christ). He said that PBs believed that regeneration (or being born again) made one sad, yea, even miserable, because it instantly produces (at least in those who are not regenerated in infancy) conviction of sin, a deep sense of guilt, and a fear of being lost and finally condemned. He then gave the unique Hardshell proposition that says that "regeneration produces conviction of sin or sorrow over sin." He also spoke of the consequences of this view, saying that

1. Regeneration makes one sad, but conversion, which comes later (possibly), made one happy.
2. Though all the elect will be made sad by regeneration, only a few of them will be made happy in conversion.
3. Any sinner who feels guilt over sin, who is under conviction, or fears the day of judgment, be he heathen or atheist, is thus evidently regenerated.

I have written on this subject much. For instance, see the post Awakened Sinners III. In that post I give links to other more lengthy writings on this subject and give some citations from others on this topic, even Hardshell founder, elder Wilson Thompson. I show how this view of "regeneration" is false, and the cause of many other errors in faith and practice. The sad consequences of such a divorcing of regeneration and conversion are numerous.

It would be nice if our Hardshell brothers would come here and discuss this topic. Who knows, we all might learn something by it! It might even be blessed by God!

Stephen Charnock, the well known Puritan writer, said this on the subject:

"The soul must be beaten down by conviction before it be raised up by regeneration..." 

That is historic Baptist teaching! It is also what the first Hardshells believed! Therefore, the present view of the Hardshells is a new teaching, and not the historic teaching of their own forefathers. They are therefore not entitled to be called "primitive," "old school," or "old Baptist."